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Command & Conquer 4 revealed?

EA survey indicates "epic conclusion" to real-time strategy series will feature role-playing-style character classes, MMORPG-like persistent progression, co-op campaign, and all-new story with "grittier" cinematics.

For a while, it was unclear if Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (2007) would get a proper sequel. The Xbox 360 and PC real-time strategy game was a critical smash, earning a 9.0 from GameSpot (on the PC) and selling a respectable 701,000 units in the US, according to the NPD Group. However, the expansions Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath and spin-off Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (both 2008) didn't fare quite as well with reviewers and sold only around a third as many units domestically.

Kane would like to know what's on your mind...before he puts a bullet in your brain.

Kane would like to know what's on your mind...before he puts a bullet in your brain.

Luckily, fans of the series can now relax, as plans for Command & Conquer 4 have been revealed...sort of. Instead of the usual public announcement, the game has apparently been confirmed by a survey from British market research firm 2CV, which lists C&C publisher Electronic Arts among its clients.

The survey, which has a picture of C&C series villain Kane on the front underneath the EA logo, not only acknowledges the existence of C&C4, but also apparently reveals some new features of the game. After a series of questions that eliminate non-PC and non-RTS gamers, the survey promptly announces C&C thusly:

Now we would like to tell you about a new Command & Conquer game. Please read the following description.

Command & Conquer 4 allows C&C fans to finally experience the epic conclusion to the 15-year Tiberium saga with innovative RPG-like player progression, persistent in both single-player and multiplayer modes, co-op play, and new stylized, live-action cinematics.

Play with all new, bigger and badder, units from GDI and Nod, including the Crawler, the first ever mobile base in RTS games.

After several more questions, the survey goes on to ask players which features they would like to see in "future" C&C games. It then lists the following six features:

--Play in epic 5 vs. 5 online multiplayer with all new objective-based game modes.

--Play the campaign on your own or tackle it with a friend, as co-operative campaigns return.

--Introducing the first mobile base in RTS games: The Crawler. Focus on the action as the Crawler becomes your all-in-one base, which can be deployed and redeployed anywhere on the battlefield for even more strategic options.

The survey seems unequivocal about C&C4's existence.

The survey seems unequivocal about C&C4's existence.

--Play in the first ever class-based C&C game--a new challenge for C&C and RTS players to master.

--Dive into an all-new story written by a new scriptwriting team and told through trademark C&C cinematics taken to the next level with grittier, stylized FMVs in the vein of Minority Report.

--Play in the first RTS game with MMORPG-like player progression in which you are rewarded every time you play. Every unit you kill in single player, multiplayer, or skirmish gives you experience points that allows you to level up your abilities and unlock new units, powers, and upgrades to your arsenal.

Though all of the six features are hinted at in the C&C4 description, Electronic Arts declined to comment on them--or on the survey in general. "We have no information regarding the C&C franchise at this point," was all a rep would say.

205 Comments

  • alfiry92

    Posted Sep 3, 2009 3:24 am GMT

    pfff they said the crawler is the first mobile base??? haha not even close....what about necron monolith in Warhammer 40K Dawn Of War??? Even universe at war mobile base can't beat necron monolith and they saying crawler the first mobile base??? EA please get you facts right

  • khallus

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 1:08 am GMT

    My fave was always C and C generals...I so wish they would make a sequal.apart from that I love red alert2 and 3is mild but ok.I hope they make this new game fun to play.

  • Micdude47

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 12:16 am GMT

    yea cnc 3 is my fav rts game i like cnc: tib was because of the awesome campagin but kanes wrath was So good because of awesome units and faction i play that for multiplayer. But campagin is average only because of its nod only. Red alert was crap i payed that for like 2 hours same and never touched it since

  • BlisteringDDj

    Posted Jul 8, 2009 6:11 pm GMT

    C&C3 was/is epic, but they BUTCHERED Red Alert 3. I played it for 2 hours, and I never touched it again. I hope they don't disappoint me with C&C4!

  • TheFrostWolf

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 10:48 am GMT

    The C&C 3 Tiberium Wars Was A Treat, I Hope This Will Take It Further With Additional Units, Factions And Good Storyline. I love This Game

  • Vanadane

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 5:37 am GMT

    It would be weird if they didn't make a CnC4, cause they would make A LOT of money on it! And that's pretty much all EA thinks about... CnC ROCKS! Too bad no CnC3 to PS3...

  • ScONeSSiE

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 3:55 pm GMT

    LOL this makes me think that it wont be c&c4 now..
    If EA was making it they wouldn't give details away like this, plus have a look at the design of the commandcom and the "future cnc game" posters both the same image just a differnt color, their not tiberium universe design they just don't fit with it so hopefully we will get another go in the generals universe or perhaps something new?

  • xtoda7

    Posted Jun 27, 2009 12:20 pm GMT

    heir heir for westwood !!

  • IBEX333

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 8:23 pm GMT

    WTF? I don't want a conclusion! If they are tired of making C&C games or they have difficulty coming up with something new, they should stop butchering the franchise and pass it on to someone who can do a better job!

  • Gooshnads

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 8:49 am GMT

    well at least they're putting down a dead horse...
    ever since EA has gotten hold of Westwood.. the spark isnt there anymore...
    My name's Seth... just Seth... from God to Kane to Seth.
    Oh good times good times...
    Crawler is NOTHING new unless they do something amazing with it
    The only spark left is Kane...
    And lastly...
    THERE'S NO WAY they can finish this
    because all us CNC fans know...
    KANE LIVES! =]

  • picklesrocks

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 7:59 am GMT

    The crawler? the first moving base in an RTS game? Im sorry but in universe at war the hiearchy's entire structure was moving walker bases

  • svpaladin

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 6:55 am GMT

    How I love the confusing terminology used in RTS.

    Base: The initial, or key, building that enables the construction of all other structures. Typically known as the "command center" or "town hall", this building produces construction / gatherer units which proceed to build the remainder of the structures and operate the economy. Coincidentally, this "base" was the primary resource gathering point, all resources could be delivered here in the absence of localized drop-off points.

    Base: The defended region that contains most/all of the elements necessary to support the player's offensive army. This typically includes the resource nodes that the player is gathering for economy, the gathering unit(s), and all structures, defensive, production and upgrade-building. Major destruction within the confines of this "base", even if the central node is not destroyed, typically puts a player way behind his opposition in that while the attacked player is rebuilding forces and structures, the offensive player goes further ahead in research, unit strengths, and builds a second, typically more potent, offensive force.

    I can see it now, this "mobile base" thing will probably have a patch/zone where most/all buildings have to go, and, when the time comes, the whole operation moves from site A to site B.

  • Jin_Kazawa

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 6:20 am GMT

    I like to watch EA hype it's games. It has sooo much enthusiasm and makes you want to buy it right now. Too bad the end result is PATHETIC in most cases.

  • tanjo

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 3:04 am GMT

    "Crawler, the first ever mobile base in RTS games." Doesn't Universe at War: Earth Assault's already have that kind of unit (Heirarchy's walker)?

  • Vrygar777

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 10:22 pm GMT

    I have mixed feelings. On one hand it sounds kinda cool, the co-op sounds nice. On the other hand RPG elements to me sounds like it takes away from the C&C experience. I mean in C&C3 your units could level up, isn't that good enough?

  • denicola_a_god

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 8:06 pm GMT

    c and c 4 gotta love the rts genre so much to do and so many units to pwn with

  • Commisar123

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 6:31 pm GMT

    Hmmm RPG charecter progression could be intersting but it could unbalance the game or it could really shift the focus away from statergy

  • yamen21

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:25 pm GMT

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ME = HUGE C&C FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • payne6705

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:24 pm GMT

    sighh I hope not I really didn't like the tiberium saga I mean the game was fun I just didn't like the story and cmon seriously Kane? I am getting sick of him I do though enjoy the red alert series better idk why I just do but I do feel Red alert 3 was too over the top and having every mission with Co-op (even in single player)in it really ruined it

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 3:12 pm GMT

    Mobile base? First time? Huh?

    Weren't MCVs considered mobile? You can deploy and redeploy them.

  • evaneself

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:14 pm GMT

    Me... me... I want to say first: - Approximative after two years Command & Conquer 5 will be Revealed!!!! Yes.. I said it. Who's the man? Give me five.

  • dan369

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 12:32 pm GMT

    Im honestly tired of RPG elements in games, they always feel like a pointless afterthought. I think id prefer to tech up like in other CnC and RTS games.

  • prdroog

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 11:50 am GMT

    Yes...

  • vengeance00

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:57 am GMT

    "Play with all new, bigger and badder, units from GDI and Nod, including the Crawler, the first ever mobile base in RTS games."

    hate to burst their bubble on this quote but it will NOT be the first mobile base in a game i can already name the monolith off the top of my head from Dawn of war 1 and the Terran command base is mobile too from starcraft (unless they mean it can move and build then in that case just the monolith) looks like EA need to do some more research on their competitor's games before making claims.

    ok i just noticed this one

    "Play in the first RTS game with MMORPG-like player progression in which you are rewarded every time you play. Every unit you kill in single player, multiplayer, or skirmish gives you experience points that allows you to level up your abilities and unlock new units, powers, and upgrades to your arsenal. "

    ain't that just like they had for Generals onwards and DOW2 had RPG elements thrown in, i'm guessing they meant to say RPG because MMO is just mass multiplayer online and i doubt theres going to be like 4000 GDI players on a single map.

  • fiskefyren

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:28 am GMT

    ah this game sounds really neat! and the co-op part makes it a must have for me! xD
    to be honest... this game reminds me why i even bouthered to buy red alert 3... CO-OP! xD

    @ faridmx:
    3? dont you mean 4? there is already been made a 3...

  • Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 5:59 am GMT

    It reminds me of the total war style which i really enjoy =] PEACE THROUGH POWER!LOL!

  • faridmx

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 5:19 am GMT

    damn!can't wait for the next c&c.c&c 3 was great,but the expansion is the exact opposite.hope this will turn out greater than c&c3,and more epic.

  • rgame1

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:14 am GMT

    cool!!

  • 008Zulu

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:05 am GMT

    I remember when the first details for C&C 3 were released, it was to be similar to Dawn of War 2. It's a shame the C&C FPS went belly up, that would have been a good one, better than Renegade.

    Generals had it's fun aspects, China's nuclear artillery was fun. But to me it felt as if Generals was capitalising on the whole War on Terror thing.

  • cptpeg

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:40 am GMT

    @CaesarSteiner I agree, although I did really enjoy Generals, I think it's because it felt more realistic (and because of some of the dialogue 'I need new shoes ') I sometimes think they are pushing the whole fantasy/fiction thing a little too far with the newer games, there's something about being able to control squid, dolphins and bears that really turns me away from the games.

  • CaesarSteiner

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:28 pm GMT

    @RaymonD_SS:

    Generals is the best in the C&C series? I don't even see how that's possible since it's not even a real Command and Conquer game. That's like saying your favorite Super Mario Brothers game is Mario Tennis.

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:11 pm GMT

    @"hagren"

    Their work is still reminiscent of the old Westwood style, so they're not too far off anyway.

    Still, Petroglyph's previous titles should be proof enough that they can do a damn better job. Its really not hard to outdo EA.

  • hagren

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:19 pm GMT

    lanceswayne: Erm...there still is no pop-cap in CnC, nothing has changed in that department...

    parrot_of_adun: There's no Joe Bostic or Adam Isgreen at Petro, so it wouldn't be in any better hands with Petro.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:56 pm GMT

    I bet Command & Conquer 4 will be the best in the series.

    I'm surprised how fast sequels to this type of game are being released, though. Why not just keep on releasing less expensive expansions.

    I never would have thought that the Real-Time Strategy genre would have actually grown in popularity so much this generation. I'm glad that it did.

    I honestly think the game that did more for this than anything else was Battle for Midearth 2 on Xbox 360 early in the life of the console. That game got a lot of fans interested in the genre, and it had a lot of sales. I think that might have motivated Microsoft to creat Halo Wars.

    Halo Wars really has expanded the genre quite a bit. More and more I see people interested in the RTS games. I'm looking forward do C&C4 a lot.

  • StJimmy15

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:26 pm GMT

    actually you could deploy and redeploy bases in C&C Red alert 2.... so there must be something else "first worthy"...

  • Mr-47-47

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 1:11 pm GMT

    this gonna be so cool CnC Rocks!!!

    !!!
    KANE LIVES!!!

  • Melty123

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 12:20 pm GMT

    I haven't bought any C&C but if C&C 4 comes out can think of buying it.

  • RaymonD_SS

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:47 am GMT

    c&c3 was crap still playing zero hour the best in the series

  • Sechu

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    By the release of C&C4 we will have been playing StarCraft 2 that is presumably be the new benchmark in the genre. I guess the developers have to work hard to make this game outstanding.

  • wahyudil

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    I never end all CnC 3 campaign ... the NOD campaign is too difficult for me ... I gave up ...

  • geomyr

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:01 am GMT

    i dont care if they have a sequel on the CC series coz i m not a fan of this RTS i rather wait for starcraft 2 to come out.

  • -S_O_S-

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:55 am GMT

    I miss Westwood..they knew how to make true c&c

  • kaziechameleon

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:22 am GMT

    I can tell you what the sequel needs, it needs a new graphics engine. the generals engine was built when i was in high school I'm graduating college now it's been over 6 years. And it's not really the visuals that need fixing it's the horrible camera and reoccurring glitches that the engine has. You know what I'd like to see, Battle for middle earth 3 on a new and improved engine.

  • DaveA6489

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:47 am GMT

    I'm intrigued by this. First got into RTS games because of Dune 2. The main C&C series (GDI vs Nod) is one of my favourite RTS franchises.

    That said, all that stuff about the first ever mobile base is bullsh*t. Anybody ever heard of the Mothership from the Homeworld series, the Necron Monolith from Dawn of War etc...

    I hope that Co-op campaigns aren't included in this game. I was looking forward to RA3 until I realised that they were included. I would rather that this stays "vanilla". No gimmicky crap. Just the game. Nothing that sounds really great but is then horrbly implemented.

    FYI the people who are wondering how RA3 is a spin off: the original Red Alert was meant to be a prequel to the original C&C. Hence why Joe Kucan (Kane from C&C) appears in so many of the cutscenes. Then the decision was made to make the Red Alert universe a completely different entity to the central C&C universe.

    Personally, I hated Generals. For me, it wasn't true C&C. Yes, I'm sure it's created some great mods, but it's just not my thing

    Anyhow, sorry for the essay lol.

  • drumbreak1

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:43 am GMT

    was it just me or was both tiberium wars, and kane's wrath terribly hard, i got to a point in both versions where i just couldn't get passed it, might have to end up using a game guide. I think it's just me, because i tend to suck at rts games lol.

  • Neokun

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:21 am GMT

    I would just like to make an observation on C&C:

    Ever since the series went 3D, all of the games have been bland, slow, and boring. Red Alert 2/Yuri's Revenge was the last great Command and Conquer game.

  • Halloll

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:17 am GMT

    no generals 2 !

  • metalisticpain

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:31 am GMT

    Does this sound like its going down the DOW2 route to anyone else?

  • Ebougile

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:13 am GMT

    Not surprised that Red Alert 3 didn't sell so great given the DRM it was using. I was going to buy it when it first came out, but when I found out that it had online activation and install limits imposed, I passed on it.

    As it turned out, this was one of the final nails in the coffin with regards to me and PC gaming. I have not bought a PC game in several months and am no longer running my gaming tower. I'm just using my laptop now which has a Radeon Xpress 200M graphics chip and am doing just fine with it. And it still plays the old classics I like such as Soldier of Fortune 2 and Diablo 2.

  • backatcha

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:09 am GMT

    Wait and see. I loved the eariler games, but their new approach seems suspect.

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